EVERTON FC are in pole position to land Dutch international defender Stefan De Vrij this summer.

Blues boss David Moyes has been impressed with the progress of the 21-year-old Feyenoord centre back all season, and has had him watched by scouts on several occasions.

Liverpool were also keen, but with their attentions subsequently switched to more experienced options, the Toffees could make a deal happen for a fee in the region of £5m-£6m.

The 6ft2in defender only made his international debut in a friendly against a Belgium side featuring Goodison forward Kevin Mirallas in August, and has since gone on to become a regular cap for Holland alongside another Everton player, John Heitinga.

Despite his young age, De Vrij has skippered Feyenoord this season and led the club’s charge to third in the Eredivisie, second only to PSV and Ajax.

It is believed the prospect of regular football at Goodison would also appeal to the defender, who is also wanted by Aston Villa, Wigan and Newcastle, who failed in a bid to sign him in January.

Although right-footed, the former Netherlands U-21 international would not be seen as a rival to right-sided skipper-in-waiting Phil Jagielka, but could form part of a new look defence with three central defenders and wing-backs in Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman.

Dutch pundits rate De Vrij as a classy ball-player who can read a game, and would be suitable for the English top flight - and Moyes could yet choose to add another recruit to his rearguard with the prospect of luring Joleon Lescott back to Merseyside also a possibility.